Rochefort Trappistes 6

Brewed by Brasserie Rochefort
Style: Abbey Dubbel
Rochefort, Belgium

It wasn’t that long ago when I found out that being a "Trappist product" was a very good thing. So naturally I have sought these out. This beer pours a hazy, murky brownish color topped with a thick soapy off white head. It gives off a soothing fruity (apricot?) aroma with subtle malts. Nothing over-powering but nice. This one is easy drinking with a smooth slightly sweet flavor that consists of fruits (plums?) and some malts. Semi tart flavor in there after you taste the fruits but again, this is smooth and doesn’t taste strong at all. Perhaps I desire a touch more flavor. Could even be considered refreshing. As the beer warms a little brown sugary note with a small rush of alcohol surfaces but it really does remain very well balanced. There is also a consistant foamy head sitting on top until the very last drop which is great. The only negative; this one is damn expensive so enjoy it!

18-08-2009 best by date. Nearly clear copper color with a fleeting head. Mostly astringent smell with some earthy dark malts. Light to medium body. Has a slightly smoky flavor with earthy, sweet caramel malts. A watered down Roche 8 or 10 here. 9137

Pours a transparent golden brown with a creamy head. Aroma of grapes and plums. Flavor is plum, raisin and mild spices.

330ml bottle. (In a blind horizontal dubbel tasting)
Rich brown, some red, thick tight creamy head. Sweet fruity ginger, a little hoppy aroma - potent but mellow. Soft but lively carbonation, some light hint of alcohol. Grainy body with a tangy but gently hoppy component. Fairly full bodied, very pleasant, but not a patch on their outstanding higher-octane numbers.

Not even close to the 8 and 10. Weird. Too fizzy and not flavorful enough. Stick with the higher powered siblings.

33cl bottle from Belgianshop. Pours a redish brown colour with a medium head that settles down quickly. Aroma is fruity and spicy. Notes of malts and caramel. Flavour is also fruity. Notes of apples, pears, dough, sugar and toffee. It has a medium long aftertaste.

Dark amber with a dense low head. Sweet and yeasty aroma with notes of chocolate, fruits and some liquorice. The flavours are tart and dark dried fruits with some complex spices. It is less sweet than it’s bigger brothers, and not quite as complex.

Bottle from BevMo in Vacaville. Surprisingly, I didn’t like this compared to other from Rochefort. There was way too much carbination, and it tasted more like sparkling water than beer. I can’t understand how this brew lacks where it’s siblings blow the competition away.